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Auto Repair Shop Safety Inspection Checklist

This self-audit checklist is designed to help auto repair shop owners achieve and maintain regulatory compliance. Municipal health, fire prevention, and building inspectors may also find it useful for preliminary screening and for assisting shops.
MaintainX
07/22/2022

Auto Repair Shop Safety Inspection Checklist

This self-audit checklist is designed to help auto repair shop owners achieve and maintain regulatory compliance. Municipal health, fire prevention, and building inspectors may also find it useful for preliminary screening and for assisting shops.

    Materials and Waste Storage & Management - (Including oils, solvents, antifreeze and gasoline)

    Flammable and hazardous liquids are stored in containers that are either approved by the US. Department of Transportation or by the State Fire Marshall, or listed and labeled by the National Registration and Testing Laboratory (UL-listed).

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Lids are tight-fitting and sealed, and bungs are closed

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Containers, tanks, and flammables cabinets are labeled with the name of the material they hold (for example, waste oil) and the type of hazard they present (e.g., flammable).

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Flammables are stored in an area (such as an air-tight metal cabinet, metal cabinet vented to the outside, or flammables storage room) approved by the local fire department.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Waste storage area is labeled and limits of area are marked.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Flammable liquids are grounded and bonded during transfer, and grounded during storage.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    There are no leaks or excessive spillage in chemical or waste storage areas, including around solvent sinks, pumps, pipes, hoses, couplings, fittings, and valves.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Drums of materials and wastes stored outside of the building have secondary containment (e.g., berms). Otherwise, drums are empty and clean.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Building

    Building has two-hour firewalls (two walls of sheetrock or masonry) between repair garage and attached structures

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Fire doors are equipped with automatic closures.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    All openings in walls and ceilings are sealed.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    A 40BC fire extinguisher is available, with 10BC extinguishers positioned every 50 feet. (Additional extinguishers may be necessary if the building is made of combustible materials.)

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Employees have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Signs are posted over each extinguisher.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Aisles and emergency exits are clear, and exit signs are posted over doors.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Smoking is prohibited where the repair work is done and allowed only in designated areas.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Electrical receptacles have no open grounds or reverse polarity

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Circuits are labeled and the circuit box is closed. Access to the circuit box is clear within 5-10 feet.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Electrical outlets have cover plates. No wires are frayed, damaged, or taped off.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Wiring is enclosed in Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) or rigid metal pipe.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    There is adequate central ventilation and adequate local ventilation for carbon monoxide from tailpipe exhaust systems.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Lighting is adequate.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Floors

    Floor drains are connected to the sewer (with approval from sewer authority) or equipped with an approved oil-water separator or tight tank

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    There are no cracks in the floor that would allow leakage.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Floors are made of noncombustible material, free of oil and grease, and sealed.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    General Equipment

    Underground storage tank and above-ground storage tanks are permitted by appropriate state agency or local fire department (as required).

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Waste oil furnaces are permitted by appropriate state agency or local fire department (as required).

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    There are no illegal furnaces or space heaters in use.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Lifts have operable safety locks, and are tested and serviced monthly.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Electrical cords are intact and have grounding prongs.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Light bulbs are teflon-coated (rough service).

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Health & Safety

    The shop has written contingency plans for fire prevention, emergencies, and spill control.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Spill control materials are available on site.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are available for all toxic chemicals.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    No food is consumed in the shop area.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Eyewash and showers providing 15 minutes of continuous flush are available in areas where acids and bases are used.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Employees are trained in chemical hazard, safety, and emergency preparedness.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Auto Shop Operations

    Routine Car Maintenance - (Managing waste oil, oily rags, and absorbents)

    Drained waste fluids such as waste oil, antifreeze, and solvents are stored in separate drums or tanks

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Waste oil is removed by a licensed transporter or burned on-site in an approved heater

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Oil filters are punctured and hot drained over waste oil drum for the required amount of time, and then recycled or disposed properly.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Oily shop rags are placed in sealed, labeled metal containers and are managed properly

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Oily absorbents are disposed according to state regulations.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Solvent Parts Cleaning

    Solvent parts cleaner is closed

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    A licensed transporter picks up and recycles solvents or disposes solvents as hazardous waste.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Parts cleaner is labeled with material name and hazard type

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    If a flammable solvent is used, the parts cleaner has a fusible link that locks shut in the case of fire.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Parts cleaner is registered with the state environmental agency (if required).

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Exhaust System Repair

    Welding/cutting is permitted by the local fire department.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Compressed gas cylinders are firmly installed by chaining to a portable dolly or to the wall in an upright position

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Fire extinguishers are available in the welding/cutting area.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Employees wear protective clothing and welding helmets with shields.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Flammables are not used or stored nearby

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Machinery is grounded.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Local ventilation is adequate.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Brake Repair ( Grinding drums and turning rotors )

    Employees wear safety glasses with side shields.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Equipment is bolted into the floor.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Pullies on the grinder are covered with a safety guard.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    The grinding wheel offset is no greater than 1/8 inch.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Shop uses HEPA filtered vacuum system or a wet method of grinding to prevent asbestos exposure.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Air Conditioner and Radiator Servicing

    Refrigerant recovery machines are licensed by U.S. EPA

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Refrigerant recovery operators are certified by U.S. EPA.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Antifreeze is labeled and recycled or disposed properly.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    If radiator repair includes brazing, procedures are in place to control and monitor lead.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Battery and Tire Storage

    Batteries are stored in a single layer on pallets or shelving with an impermeable base, and are properly recycled.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Tires stored outside are covered and properly disposed.

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Deficiencies and Recommended Actions

    Use this section to note areas where the shop is out of compliance, and to provide information about how to correct deficiencies or any other comments.

    Comments

Source: MaintainX (Community Member)

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